A NEW FORCE IN RUTILE
Transcript of A NEW FORCE IN RUTILE
A NEW FORCE IN RUTILEKasiya: One of the world’s largest rutile deposits
JULY 2021 | ASX: SVM
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A strategic and globally significant natural rutile (TiO2) discovery
KASIYA
Major Natural Rutile End Use Markets
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TiO2
Source: TZMI
Natural Rutile a Source of Titanium – A Growing $15B Global MarketNatural rutile is the rarest, highest grade and highest value titanium mineral
41.Sulphate ilmenite includes sulphate slag production; chloride ilmenite includes chloride slag production; synthetic rutile and upgraded chloride slag (“UGS”) not included. Mined volumes = TiO2 units equivalent2.Rutile price: Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU): December 2020 Quarterly Report (US$1,220). Chloride Ilmenite: Base Resources Ltd (ASX:BSE): December 2020 Quarterly ReportSource: TZMI
Ilmenite
Rutile
Highest Grade TiO2 mineral
Highest Value2
TiO2 mineralRarest
TiO2 mineral
~95% TiO2 +$1,200/t 0.7MtMined 20171
~50% TiO2 +$200/t 5.7MtMined 20171
Natural Rutile has a Far Lower Carbon FootprintNatural rutile is the cleanest, purest form of titanium dioxide. It is favoured by pigment producers over higher energy and carbon intensive “upgraded” titanium feed-stocks such as synthetic rutile or titanium slag
51. Rio Tinto’s Climate Change Report 2019
“…alumina refining, aluminium smelting and the upgrading of titanium feedstocks are all high temperature, energy intensive processes…lifting the Group’s average carbon intensity…”1
Utilising natural rutile saves up to
2.8kg CO2 eq. per kg
Titanium – a Critical Raw MaterialThe US and Europe all consider titanium as a critical mineral with growing importance
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Aluminium chromium helium potash tellurium
antimony cobalt indium REEs tin
arsenic fluorspar lithium rhenium titanium
barite gallium magnesium rubidium tungsten
beryllium germanium manganese scandium uranium
bismuth graphite (natural) niobium strontium vanadium
cesium hafnium PGMs tantalum zirconium
US Critical Minerals -Department of the Interior, United States Government The United States is highly import reliant on titanium mineral concentrates
The United States has a moderate import reliance on titanium metal (sponge), and imports mostly scrap and raw metal
Titanium mineral reserves exist in the southeastern United States; however, these reserves are small compared to foreign supplies
Titanium is critical in aerospace components, in rotating parts in turbine engines, and for its use in corrosive environments.
-U.S. Geological Survey Technical Input Document in Response to Secretarial Order No. 3359
In 2020, Titanium became a Critical Raw Material based on the EU’s Criticality Assessment of its Economic Importance and Supply Risk
The UK Government has not yet defined a Critical Materials strategy post-Brexit, but its recent consultation, “National Security and Investment Bill: Sectors in Scope of the Mandatory Regime”, acknowledges the EU list and the British Geological Survey’s Risk List 2015 which both contain Titanium
Natural Rutile – A Genuinely Scarce Commodity
• Global supply of rutile in structural deficit
• Mature mines with declining grades
• General lack of new rutile-rich deposits to fill the gap
• Natural rutile is traditionally a by-product
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Substantial market space for a new rutile producer
No large, high-grade rutile discoveries in over half a century – until now!
Source: TZMI
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200
400
600
800
1,000
Existing supply
Demand Supply always
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The Perfect Storm
81. Price Chart: Ruidow 2. Iluka Resources – March 2021 Quarterly Report
• CIF China spot prices have sharply risen towards US$1,800 per tonne. Iluka achieved a sales price of $1,199 per tonne2
• A resurgence in demand for titanium pigment and from the welding sector combined with concurrent supply shortages
• Extreme supply-side tightness will be exacerbated by new production suspensions recently announced by a number of major high-grade titanium feedstock producers
• Strong market fundamentals driving a robust long-term price
Supply tightness driving price upwards – very strong short, medium and long-term outlook
KasiyaOne Of The World’s Largest Rutile Deposits
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Maiden JORC Resource
644Mt @ 1.01% rutile1
including a high-grade component of
137Mt @ 1.41% rutile2
1. 0.7% cut-off, Inferred2. 1.2% cut-off, Inferred
13km
9km
KasiyaGlobally Strategic
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1. Projects selected with rutile contributing over 30% of the in-situ value2. The Balranald Project is being investigated for underground mining by IlukaSources:Base Resources – Kwale: Updated Kwale North Dune and maiden Bumamani Mineral Resource Estimate (released on ASX 19/02/2021)Iluka Resources – Sierra Rutile: Iluka Resources Limited’s 2020 Annual Report (released on ASX 25/02/2021) Iluka Resources – Balranald: Iluka Resources Demerger Briefing Presentation (released on ASX 10/09/2020)
• Only large rutile-dominant deposit discovered in last 50 years
• Comparable in size to Sierra Rutile
• Substantial additional resource growth expected
Company1 ProjectResource
(Mt)
In-situ GradeContained
Rutile(Mt)Rutile
(%)
Ilmenite
(%)
Zircon(%)
Iluka Resources
Sierra Rutile 715 1.10% 0.90% 0.10% 7.5
Sovereign Metals Kasiya 644 1.01% - - 6.5
Iluka Resources
Balranald 2 46 3.90% 19.9% 3.60% 1.8
Base Resources Kwale 194 0.37% 1.31% 0.17% 0.7
KasiyaGrowth Potential
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• ~114km2 of drilled, high-grade rutile mineralisation (Kasiya 89km2 + Nsaru 25km2)
• Kasiya MRE covers only 43% of this total mineralised footprint
• Step-out drilling at Kasiya and Nsaru is continuing with multiple field drilling teams deployed.
Kasiya – Simple and Lower Risk
High-grade rutile mineralisation from surface
Soft, friable material – should be suitable for efficient hydro or dozer-
trap mining methods
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Simple, conventional flowsheet already demonstrated
Single heavy mineral product = simplified back-end mineral separation
plant (MSP)
Positioned for effective ESG outcomes
Land to be progressively returned to original condition (farms/bushland)
MINING PROCESSING PROGRESSIVE REHABILITATION
Conventional Proven Flowsheet
• Simple, conventional flowsheet
• Excellent overall rutile recovery from bulk feed (1 tonne) to product of over 98.3%
• Single heavy mineral product = simplified back-end mineral separation plant (MSP)
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Significantly de-risked
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500μm
Premium Product Specifications
• +96% TiO2
• No critical impurities
• Standout chemical parameters
• Highly favourable grain size distribution
• d50 of 145μm comparable to leading market products
• Suitable for all major natural rutile end-use markets
Continued engagement with potential rutile off-takers in the pigment and welding industries - highly favourable feedback on chemical and physical specifications received
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Bulk scale (1t) metallurgical results on saprolite-hosted mineralisation show highly favourable, premium rutile product specifications
Constituent Malawi Rutile (Sovereign)
Sierra Rutile(Iluka)
RBM(Rio Tinto)
Kwale(Base Resources)
Namakwa Sands(Tronox)
TiO2 % 96.27 96.29 93.30 96.18 94.50
ZrO2+HfO2 % 0.52 0.78 1.30 0.72 1.10
SiO2 % 1.18 0.62 2.00 0.94 2.00
Fe2O3 % 0.59 0.38 0.70 1.25 0.8
Al2O3 % 0.41 0.31 0.90 0.23 0.6
Cr2O3 % 0.12 0.19 0.11 0.17 0.14
V2O5 % 0.66 0.58 0.40 0.52 0.33
Nb2O5 % 0.39 0.15 0.30 - 0.04
P2O5 % 0.01 0.01 0.03 0 0.02
MnO % 0.01 0.01 - 0.03 0.4
MgO % 0.02 <0.01 - 0.1 0.01
CaO % 0.01 0.01 - 0.04 0.04
S % 0.01 <0.01 <0.05 - 0.01
U+Th ppm 39 26 100 - -
Comparison of Sovereign’s Rutile Specifications to Leading Global Producers
“Iluka” is Iluka Resources Limited; “Rio Tinto” is Rio Tinto plc; “Base Resources” is Base Resources Limited; “Tronox” is Tronox Holdings plc. “-“ is not disclosed. Sources: RBM data from World Titanium Resources Ltd TZMI Conference Presentation November 2011 (Updated January 2012); Sierra Rutile, Kwaleand Namakwa Sands data from BGR Assessment Manual titled “Heavy Minerals of Economic Importance” 2010. Sovereign’s results are extracted from the Company’s ASX Announcement dated 24 June 2019.
Comparison of Sovereign’s Rutile d50 to Leading Global Producers
Constituent Malawi Rutile (Sovereign) RBM (Rio Tinto) Namakwa Sands (Tronox)
d50 145 μm 124 μm 124 μm
“Rio Tinto” is Rio Tinto plc; “Tronox” is Tronox Holdings plc.Source: BGR Assessment Manual titled “Heavy Minerals of Economic Importance” 2010
Malawi –Stable, Transparent Jurisdiction• Increasingly attracting international investment
• Significant potential and appetite for mining
• Excellent operating infrastructure in place
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Operation-Ready Infrastructure
Infrastructure in place to connect Sovereign to global rutile markets
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Established rail network direct to
Nacala Port
MoU in place with rail & port operator
Paved roads Grid power becoming available
Established labour pool and other industrial
services
Plentiful water sources
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Ongoing Work Programs
Sovereign is rapidly continuing its work programs withkey short-term targets
• Aggressive drilling programs commenced to enable futureresource upgrades (Indicated +) and extensions.
• Kasiya’s Scoping Study well underway, targeted for completionlate 2021.
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Sovereign –Compelling investment opportunity into a strategic mineral
Management with proven African experience
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New, globally significant rutile province
Critical Raw Material with rutile in supply deficit
Natural rutile has a far lower carbon footprint
Simple and low risk mining & processing
Stable, transparent jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure
Thank you
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APPENDIX
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Corporate InformationManagement team with a proven track record of success
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IAN MIDDLEMAS | Chairman
Mr Middlemas was a Senior Group Executive for Normandy Mining for more than ten years, which was Australia’s largest gold miner before merging with Newmont Mining. He is currently Chairman of Salt Lake Potash, Berkeley Energia, Prairie Mining & a number of other listed resource companies.
Mr Middlemas was also previously Chairman of Papillon Resources Limited and Mantra Resources Limited.
JULIAN STEPHENS | Managing Director
Dr Stephens is a Geologist with over 20 years experience in mineral exploration across many commodity types, and has spent 14 years working on minerals projects in Malawi.
Dr Stephens identified, secured and led the team that discovered rutile and graphite mineralisation across Sovereign’s large ground position in Malawi.
BEN STOIKOVICH | Director
Mr Stoikovich is a Mining Engineer with 25 years experience in mine operations and mineral project development and finance. He has extensive experience in Africa having previously worked for Lonmin and Standard Bank. Mr Stoikovich is based in London. He commenced his career with BHP Billiton.
SAM CORDIN | Business Development Manager
Mr Cordin is an experienced Chartered Accountant who commenced his career at a large international accounting firm and has since been involved with a number of ASX and AIM listed exploration and development companies operating in the resources sector.
ANDRIES KRUGER | Country Manager
Mr Kruger is a Geologist with over 20 years experience in mineral exploration.
Mr Kruger has spent 10 years working on major Malawian minerals projects for ASX listed companies, directing all in-country activities relating to project development.
ANALYST COVERAGE
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
~A$8.9 mCash3
9,800,000Performance Rights(milestone vesting conditions)
421,196,827Shares on Issue 1
A$282mUn-Diluted Market Capitalisation @A$0.67 2
22,600,000Unlisted Options 1($0.14 to $0.50, Weighted Average $0.31)
1 & 2. Closing price and equities as at 2 July 20213. Cash at Bank – 31 March 2021
REGISTER BREAK-DOWN
Australian based HNW 20%
Directors & Vendors 15%
Institutional Investors
(Including Sprott) 22%
European based Investors 33% Estimate as at July 2021.
Rutile’s Scarcity Means Limited Comparable ProjectsTwo projects with the most similarities make up over 32%* of global rutile production
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1. Iluka Resources Limited, Sierra Rutile: Resource and Reserve as at 31 December 2020. Resource also includes 715Mt @ 0.9% Ilmenite & 0.1% Zircon2. 70% of Ore Reserves relate to the Sembehun expansion project.3. Base Resources Limited, Kwale: Resource and Reserve as at 30 June 2020 plus update announced 19 February 2021. Resource also includes 275Mt @ 1.0% Ilmenite & 0.1% Zircon. Reserve also includes 40Mt @ 1.9% Ilmenite & 0.2% Zircon* Sovereign’s estimate based on Iluka Resources Limited and Base Resources Limited’s reported 2019 production calculated against TZMI’s forecasted 2019 production (680,000 tonnes).All information sourced from Company Reports.
Kwale (Kenya)
12%of world’s annual rutile production
Sierra Rutile (Sierra Leone)
20%of world’s annual rutile production
RutileIlmenite
Zircon
Assemblage– based on resources
Rutile
Ilmenite
Zircon
Assemblage– based on resources
Current rutile resource 1
715Mt @ 1.1% rutileCurrent rutile reserve 1
268Mt 2 @ 1.4% rutileAnnual rutile production12 months to 31 December 2020
120,200 tonnesOre mined12 months to 31 December 2020
8,928,000 tonnes
Current rutile resource 3
275Mt @ 0.25% rutileCurrent rutile reserve 3
40Mt @ 0.44% rutileAnnual rutile production12 months to 31 December 2020
76,402 tonnesOre mined12 months to 31 December 2020
17,106,122 tonnes
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Pigment Market Dominated by Upgraded AlternativesNatural rutile makes up only a modest percentage of the total high-grade titanium pigment feedstock market due to supply constraints.
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Natural Rutile
26%
Synthetic Rutile
20%
Chloride Slag
45%
UGS
9%
TOTAL MARKET SIZE
~2.5MtTiO2 Units
HIGH GRADE CHLORIDE PIGMENT FEEDSTOCK (+80 TiO2) SUPPLY BY TYPE
Upgraded (from ilmenite)
Direct Use
Significant potential to displacesynthetic rutile and chloride slag
Strong Demand from the Industrial Sector
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The welding sector is a major user of natural rutile.
• Forecast strong demand with current infrastructure expenditure
• In the welding rod industry there is no substitutematerial for natural rutile
• Major producers have noted that very strong demand in the welding market is outstripping supply
Titanium will play a key role in the Green RevolutionTitanium is a 100% recyclable, eco metal
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The underbody of Electric Vehicles such as the Tesla Model S are made from ultra high-strength titanium.
According to Tesla, the addition of a titanium underbody shield in 2014 reduced the risk of battery fires to “virtually zero”
Next-generation commercial aircraft (e.g., Boeing 787 and Airbus A350) use a significantly higher percentage of both titanium and carbon fiber reinforced composites to reduce weight and therefore increase fuel efficiency.
In renewable energy applications, titanium provides material advantages over traditional alloys.
Titanium’s resistance to corrosion allows design engineers to specify a zero-corrosion rate in seawater for e.g. off-shore wind farms
Making Electric Vehicles Safe Lowering CO2 Emissions Protecting Renewable Energy
Kasiya Mineral Resource Estimate Block Model
9,800,000Performance Rights(milestone vesting conditions)
A$194.7 mUn-Diluted Market Capitalisation @A$0.47 2
30,025,000Unlisted Options 1
($0.10 to $0.50, Weighted Average $0.26)
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• Rutile mineralisation lies in laterally extensive,near surface, flat “blanket” style bodies
• High-grade zones appear to be geologicallycontinuous with limited variability along andacross strike
Kasiya Deposit block model heat map, oblique view looking Northeast, showing top block within the inferred resource model
Kasiya Mineral Resource Estimate Heat Map & Cross-Sections
9,800,000Performance Rights(milestone vesting conditions)
A$194.7 mUn-Diluted Market Capitalisation @A$0.47 2
30,025,000Unlisted Options 1
($0.10 to $0.50, Weighted Average $0.26)
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Rutile mineralisation lies in laterally extensive, near surface,flat “blanket”
The resource remains open to the northeast, east, andsouthwest
A’
A
B’
B
A A’
B B’
C C’
C C’
Kasiya Mineral Resource Estimate
9,800,000Performance Rights(milestone vesting conditions)
A$194.7 mUn-Diluted Market Capitalisation @A$0.47 2
30,025,000Unlisted Options 1
($0.10 to $0.50, Weighted Average $0.26)
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Resource (Mt) Rutile Grade Contained Rutile
(Mt) Cut-off
1,109 0.82% 9.1 0.40%
974 0.87% 8.5 0.50%
811 0.93% 7.6 0.60%
644 1.01% 6.5 0.70%
491 1.09% 5.3 0.80%
362 1.17% 4.2 0.90%
265 1.26% 3.3 1.00%
195 1.33% 2.6 1.10%
137 1.41% 1.9 1.20%
93 1.49% 1.4 1.30%
59 1.57% 0.9 1.40%
35 1.65% 0.6 1.50%
1. All mineralisation is classified as Inferred
Kasiya Mineral Resource Estimate - Summary
9,800,000Performance Rights(milestone vesting conditions)
A$194.7 mUn-Diluted Market Capitalisation @A$0.47 2
30,025,000Unlisted Options 1
($0.10 to $0.50, Weighted Average $0.26)
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Mineral Resource Category Material Tonnes(millions)
Rutile (%)
Rutile Tonnes(millions)
Inferred 644 1.01 6.49
Total 644 1.01 6.49
Cut-off: 0.7% rutile
DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURESAUTHORISATION STATEMENT
This presentation has been approved and authorised for release by the Company’s Managing Director, Dr Julian Stephens.
DISCLAIMER NOTICE
This presentation has been prepared as a summary only, and does not contain all information Sovereign Metals Limited’s (“SVM”) assets and liabilities, financial position and performance, profits and losses, prospects, and the rights and liabilities attaching to SVM’s securities.The securities issued by SVM are considered speculative and there is no guarantee that they will make a return on the capital invested, that dividends will be paid on the shares or that there will be an increase in the value of the shares in the future. SVM does not purport togive financial or investment advice. No account has been taken of the objectives, financial situation or needs of any recipient of this report. Recipients of this report should carefully consider whether the securities issued by SVM are an appropriate investment for them in lightof their personal circumstances, including their financial and taxation position. The material in this presentation (“material”) is not and does not constitute an offer, invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, or purchase any security in SVM nor does it form the basis of anycontract or commitment. SVM makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this material.
SVM, its directors, employees, agents and consultants shall have no liability, including liability to any person by reason of negligence or negligent misstatement, for any statements, opinions, information or matters, express or implied, arising out of, contained in or derivedfrom, or for any omissions from this material except liability under statute that cannot be excluded. Statements contained in this material, particularly those regarding possible or assumed future performance, costs, dividends, production levels or rates, prices, resources,reserves or potential growth of SVM, industry growth or other trend projections are, or maybe, forward looking statements. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results anddevelopments may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements depending on a variety of factors.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This presentation may include forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on Sovereign’s expectations and beliefsconcerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Sovereign, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurancethat forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Sovereign makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.
COMPETENT PERSONS STATEMENT
The information in this presentation that relate to Exploration Results (rutile) and QEMSCAN results are extracted from announcements on between 7 November 2018 to 9 June 2021. These announcements are available to view on www.sovereignmetals.com.au. Theinformation in the original announcements that related to Exploration Results were based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Dr Julian Stephens, a Competent Person who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Dr Stephens is theManaging Director of Sovereign Metals Limited and a holder of shares, options and performance rights in Sovereign Metals Limited. Dr Stephens has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activitybeing undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materiallyaffects the information included in the original market announcements. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.
The information in this presentation that relates to Metallurgical Testwork Results (rutile) is extracted from an announcement dated 9 September 2020. This announcement is available to view on www.sovereignmetals.com.au. The information in the original ASXAnnouncements that related to Metallurgical Testwork Results was based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Gavin Diener, a Competent Person who is a member of the Aus IMM. Mr Diener is the Chief Operating Officer of TZMI, an independent minerals andconsulting company and is not a holder of any equity type in Sovereign Metals Limited. Mr Diener has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a CompetentPersonas defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information including in the originalmarket announcements. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.
The information in the presentation that relates to Mineral Resources are extracted from an announcement dated 9 June 2021. This announcement is available to view on www.sovereignmetals.com.au. The information in the original ASX Announcement that related to MineralResources were based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Richard Stockwell, a Competent Person, who is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Stockwell is a principal of Placer Consulting Pty Ltd, an independent consulting company.Mr Stockwell has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting ofExploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.
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Sovereign Metals Limited | ASX:SVMT +61 8 9322 6322 | F +61 8 9322 6558E [email protected]
Level 9, 28 The EsplanadePerth WA 6000ABN: 71 120 833 427
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